Front Diff Leak

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Went to go away a week ago and noticed an oil leak on the garage floor, thought probably just a sump plug washer put a container of oil in and off I went. I planned to pull the bash plate off when I got there and maybe tighten up the plug. On further inspection the leak was coming from where the driveshaft goes into the diff on the left hand side, so that was the end of off roading for the weekend.

Took it to Toyota the next week and they looked at it and told me it was because the OME suspension was allowing too much suspension droop and that it had caused the shaft to move! Worse still the dealer then tried to weasel out of the repair under warranty, I had checked the Toyota Extended Warranty carefully before I purchased it and this should have been covered.

Rang ARB and spoke to the technical advisor and he explained to me how that was not possible and that the extended length of the OME shock was only 5mm longer than the original Toyota. He was also happy to put it in writing and even offered to have a store fit the parts for me if I purchased them, great service by ARB.

Amazingly Toyota Australia came back and said "in this case only they would do the repair under warranty", when they took the bash plates off they found the right hand side was leaking as well, but they said they would repair this as well.

So keep an eye out on your diff for leaks and push the dealer to go to Toyota if you aren't happy with their response.

Richo.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

"the OME suspension was allowing too much suspension droop"

Richo.

The Toyota person quoting that is the one with the droop, between his legs.

More balls from ARB than Toyota to rectify the problem.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

I guess this is the price one pays Richo when we have powerful engines like the mighty V6. the Diff must've had stinky diesel engine spec'd seals that don't need to withstand all those Killerwasps!!!!

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I guess this is the price one pays Richo when we have powerful engines like the mighty V6. the Diff must've had stinky diesel engine spec'd seals that don't need to withstand all those Killerwasps!!!!

Or the petrol fumes rotted it.

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

oooh fighting words from the Petrol Gang.
I have looked up the wading depth for the Petrol Killerwasp Prados, apparently anything less than 10mm of water is ok.....

PS Richo great it is fixed, look forward to seeing you out on the tracks again.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

I have looked up the wading depth for the Petrol Killerwasp Prados, apparently anything less than 10mm of water is ok.....

Hence the reason we have the power to skim across the top!!

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I don't think skimming across 10mm of water is anything to be proud of. Petrol owners = easily pleased.

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

oooh fighting words from the Petrol Gang.
I have looked up the wading depth for the Petrol Killerwasp Prados, apparently anything less than 10mm of water is ok.....

PS Richo great it is fixed, look forward to seeing you out on the tracks again.

On a serious note also had the starter motor fixed after the Cape Trip this year, check your manual for wading depth and then the height of the starter motor. Another anomoly that Toyota dealers will use to take some money from you.

Richo, Water Crossing Specialist.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Having not looked at a Prado starter motor Richo, where/how does water enter the unit and is there any way of waterproofing?


Sent from my iPhone thingy

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Craig after seeing this spectacular photo, I think you need a starter motor from a collins class submarine!

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Having not looked at a Prado starter motor Richo, where/how does water enter the unit and is there any way of waterproofing?


Sent from my iPhone thingy

Hi Craig

Not sure of the answers to those questions, I have custody of the Prado on Sunday so I intend to have a look then. But there have been numerous starter problems that I have heard of since then, it happens to FJ's as well.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I killed my AC compressor (non Prado) after some serious water crossings in WA. Sandy/dirty water straight past the seal and no more AC. Anything down low is vulnerable. Unfortunately.